§ 14. Mr. Gareth Thomas (Clwyd, West)If he will make a statement on his Department's role in regulating the offshore oil industry. [77046]
§ The Minister for Energy and Industry (Mr. John Battle)The DTI regulates the searching and drilling for oil and gas, authorises pipeline works and the decommissioning of installations and the environmental aspects of those activities in close co-operation with other Departments.
§ Mr. ThomasMy hon. Friend will be aware of the widespread concern in north Wales about the activities of the offshore operator BHP following a series of oil spills into Liverpool bay. Is he entirely comfortable with the role that his Department plays as both sponsor of the oil and gas industry and its regulator? What assurances can he provide that his Department will adopt a co-ordinated and effective approach to regulation with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Environment Agency?
§ Mr. BattleMy hon. Friend refers diligently to the oil spillage, of which I am aware. However, it is difficult to comment on the details at present because the Department is prosecuting BHP for a serious spillage earlier in the year. Once the details of that investigation are known, further steps will be taken with regard to the later spillage.
The Department has an environmental unit that works closely with other bodies and Government Departments, such as the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Countryside Council for Wales, which has commented on the prospects of environmental damage. I understand that the spillage has caused no great damage to birds or to shoreline habitats to date. We have a structure in place that knits Government Departments and outside bodies together, and our record shows that we have prosecuted where necessary to ensure that the industry has a better environmental record.